Ai vs Sumi

Bob: She looks even better on this board! When you grow tired of her, there's a home in sunny Florida awaiting her.

Query: In this pic it does appear to be dark sumi on the edge of each scale, rather than light ai. I guess it is a matter of degree, but could she be considered an extraordinarily fine Sumi Goromo? [I know "sumi goromo" gets looked down on because so often the sumi is washed over the scale, rather than defining the edge. I do not mean to be critical of her at all. To contrary, she is a knock-out no matter the label.] The depth of the sumi creates a reticulated effect that puts her on a different level.

You may be right about her classification... I actually did not get a long look at her, like one would if she were in my pond already. She is being held at Quality Koi for me unitl a few more weeks... when my own quarantine pond is clear from the other ones our group brought in..

Goshiki Goromo

Maurice: There was an article a couple of years ago (by Nicole Lembke, I think??) in KoiUSA suggesting that Goshiki and Goromo should not be in the same class for judging because each has been refined over recent years to be too different from one another. Neat photo. Is it Goromo with smudged shiro? Or, Goshiki with dirty hi? Nahhh ... that would be looking for demerits. Have to look at the positives: A Goshiki with nice ai skin, and Goromo with reticulated hi. Best of both, all in one.

I'm curious what some of the judges would say about this one in the GG class.